Debate Fact Check #10: Sanctions on Iran

THE TRUTH ABOUT…the urgent need to impose crippling sanctions against the Iranian regime.

CLAIM:
Carly’s support for sanctions on Iran is hypocritical in light of her violations of U.S. trade laws while Hewlett-Packard’s chief executive officer.

FACT:
Carly is a strong supporter of implementing tough, crippling sanctions on Iran to compel it to roll back its dangerous nuclear weapons development plan, which currently poses the most serious threat to Israel and to the stability of the Middle East region.

Furthermore, accusations about the legality of HP’s printer sales have never been supported by any federal investigation or report. In fact, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission inquired about the matter, but the company has never been found in violation of U.S. trade embargoes. These are baseless political attacks that were first launched by Democrats in 2008 when Carly was rumored to be a potential candidate for vice president – they have no foundation in fact.

SEC Inquired And Found No Violation Of Trade Embargo. “DeVore pressed Fiorina, the former chief of Hewlett-Packard, for details about a subsidiary’s printer sales to Iran, which is subject to a trade embargo. The United Arab Emirates-based subsidiary, Redington Gulf, was honored by HP as wholesaler of the year in 2003, under Fiorina’s tenure. When reports of the Iranian sales came to light in 2008, three years after Fiorina was fired, Hewlett-Packard terminated its relations with the subsidiary…Fiorina has previously said she had no knowledge of illegal sales. The SEC has inquired about the matter, but the company has never been found to have violated the embargo.” (Seema Mehta, “Previews of upcoming GOP Senate debate?” Los Angeles Times, 3/3/10)

Carly Fiorina: “We Cannot Afford To Talk Any Longer.” “It is abundantly clear: engagement with Iran has failed. Negotiations have shown no progress. We cannot afford to talk any longer. We must act now to implement tough, crippling sanctions to persuade the Iranian regime to suspend its nuclear program and engage in serious negotiations. Both the Senate and the House have passed strong versions of the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act. I urge our leaders in Congress to reconcile quickly their differences and present a bill to the President for his immediate signature and immediate implementation.” (Press release, 2/8/10)